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Royal Caribbean - Utopia of the Seas

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the preview sailing of Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. This magnificent vessel is the second largest cruise ship in the world. It features 2,834 staterooms and can accommodate a staggering 5,668 passengers. Royal Caribbean is promoting the ship as the "World's Biggest Weekend," aiming to target the popular short cruise market. Its home port will be Port Canaveral, offering 3 and 4-day sailings with stops in Nassau and Coco Cay (Royal's private island). The 3-day sailings leave on a Friday and the 4-day sailings leave on a Monday. 

The ship offers a wide range of amenities, but I will focus on accommodations, food, drinks, and entertainment to keep it brief.

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Accommodations

Utopia offers an incredible range of 20 plus accommodation styles, from the lavish Ultimate Family Suite to cozy interior cabins. Depending on the category, each can accommodate anywhere from 1 to 8 travelers, so there's something for everyone! The top-of-the-line Ultimate Family Suite, part of the Star Class, comes with a private butler, known as the Royal Genie, making it the epitome of luxury. Starting at $30,000, this exclusive experience is almost sold out for the next year - talk about the ultimate indulgence! Royal Caribbean offers balconies with ocean views, boardwalk central park and promendade views, setting the stage for unforgettable memories.

 

My ocean-view stateroom with a spacious balcony easily accommodated 2 people, and with a sofa that converts to a double bed, it can also hold 3 to 4 people. Oceanview staterooms can comfortably hold a family of 5 with some providing bunk beds. Some interior staterooms include a virtual balcony with an LED screen displaying the outside view! My personal favorite is the Aqua Theatre Suites, providing stunning aft-facing views of the Aqua Theatre. Picture yourself enjoying a spectacular show right from the comfort of your room. With such a wide array of stateroom choices, a knowledgeable travel agent can help you find the perfect fit for your family's unique needs. 

The pictures below are from my stateroom. There was ample storage space including two closets, a bureau with 6 drawers, hooks and safe. Most of the outlets were located at the desk and included enough space to charge devices and plug in hair dryers. The bedside tables provided additional outlets and device charges. I'll post a link to view the other staterooms that I toured at the end of the page. 

 

Food and Drink
 

​The food options aboard the ship were diverse, ranging from quick grab-and-go meals to a live action dinner show.

The Windjammer Buffet had an extensive variety of food choices, including options like lobster and hot dogs. I only had lunch and breakfast at the buffet, but the food was excellent. I didn't have the chance to dine at the specialty restaurants, as they were invitation-only for this particular industry sailing. However, I dined at the main dining room every night. The international menu changed daily, and my favorite was the Caribbean night with the Jerk Chicken.

 

The included restaurants are the main dining room, Windjammer Marketplace, Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests), Sorrento's, Boardwalk Dog House, Cafe Promenade, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, Solarium Bistro, The Spare Tire, and Sprinkles. Room service is also available for a fee or included in your fare, depending on the dining package you selected.

 

The specialty restaurants include: Royal Railway (live action show), Chops Grille, Izumi, 150 Central Park, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, the Mason Jar, Hooked Seafood, Playmakers Sports Bar, Johnny Rockets, Sugar Beach, and Starbucks.

 

The Bionic Bar has been replaced with the Pesky Parrot. The lounge has a Tiki atmosphere, and the drinks are large and strong! Other options include the Schooner Bar, Bel and The Barley, Rising Tides (a moving bar on the Promenade), Trellis Bar, Lime and Coconut (the very active pool bar), Solarium Bar, The Vue (with the most spectacular views on the ship), Giovanni's Wine Bar, Cantina Fresca, and the Wipe Out Bar.

 

The bartenders are attentive, the drinks are strong, and the atmosphere is festive! Utopia is billed as the "World's Biggest Weekend" and it certainly delivers in the food and drink department.

Dining Options

 

Entertainment

The entertainment on Utopia was absolutely mind-blowing! The incredible talent, paired with cutting-edge technology, delivered unforgettable and awe-inspiring performances.

 

ALL IN, the production show in the Royal Theatre, featured outstanding singing, dancing, breathtaking aerial feats, and even drones!

 

AQUA80TOO, the water show in the open-air Aqua Theatre, left me completely in awe.

 

And then there was YOUTOPIA, the electrifying ice show that seamlessly combined incredible skating, mesmerizing ice dancing, and a few other astonishing surprises.

 

While reservations aren't mandatory, I highly recommend securing your spot as soon as you step on board - I always make my reservations via the app to ensure I don't miss out on these sensational performances! 

Utopia Infographic

 

Other Stuff and Things

This was my first time on a Royal Caribbean cruise. I had avoided them in the past due to their size and higher prices compared to other contemporary brands. The base fare for the cruise didn't include drinks, wifi, or specialty dining, and adding these extras came at a steep price. However, I found the experience to be worth every penny.

 

Surprisingly, the ship never felt overcrowded. Royal Caribbean ships have a unique design with an open center, housing a Promenade, Boardwalk, or Central Park in each section, which allowed for easy movement. The smart elevators on board were also impressive; you simply select the floor you want to go to, and the elevator directs you to the right one, eliminating the need for numbered buttons inside.

 

I was concerned about the embarkation and disembarkation process due to the large number of passengers, but I was pleasantly surprised. I boarded the ship in just 15 minutes, and when I disembarked, it took about 30 minutes. The ship docked at 8 am, and I was already in my car by 8:30.

 

After this experience, I'm now a Royal Caribbean convert and may even consider trying out the Icon of the Seas, which is the world's largest cruise ship!

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